Buying Organic on a Budget

For nearly everything you buy there is an organic version. But with tightening budgets and rising grocery costs, can you afford to only buy organic? To help you stay within budget it might be best to focus on the foods for which the organic label really matter.



These are known as the Dirty Dozen and whenever possible you should purchase organic.

1. Peaches


2. Apples


3. Sweet Bell Peppers


4. Celery


5. Nectarines


6. Strawberries


7. Cherries


8. Pears


9. Grapes (Imported)


10. Spinach


11. Lettuce


12. Potatoes

The following dozen are less dirty and okay to purchase the conventionally grown:

1. Onions


2. Avocado


3. Sweet Corn (Frozen)


4. Pineapples


5. Mango


6. Asparagus


7. Sweet Peas (Frozen)


8. Kiwi Fruit


9. Bananas


10. Cabbage


11. Broccoli


12. Papaya

Of course the benefits of organically grow food go beyond your table. They are better for our soil and water. But if to keep your budget in tact you may need to focus on the dirty dozen.

And since I can never remember this short list of items I find this wallet size guide from the Environmental Working Group quite handy.